“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” -Albert Einstein
To my admittedly limited mind, there are two types of people: Those who are on a quest for spiritual growth, and those who don't bother to question their current level of consciousness. Being the former is a continuous journey filled with highs and lows, and I am surrounded by a circle of like-minded Truth seekers. I do have one close friend who fits the second type. She upsets me terribly time and again as I recount to her the 'issue of the day' and my extensive analysis of the difficulties of moving forward. Inevitably, her response is to plainly state some logic-based observation. Frankly, I must continually resist the urge to somewhat impatiently inform her, "you don't understand." But what I am learning is that she is far more enlightened than I. First of all, she is a fantastic listener. The best listener I know, in fact. She listens so well that it takes her only moments to understand the heart of the matter, pinpoint the answer, and get right down to accepting the outcome. Once, she remarked in passing, that she didn't think she needed to improve herself, or that people don't need to improve themselves, or something to that effect. We are who we are. The exact phrase is hazy, but the message is burned indelibly into my soul. How many, many precious hours I have invested in trying to be better. Could it all have been in vain? Is it at all possible that I am already good enough? Maybe, just maybe. I cherish her friendship because I am always learning from her. I have come to delight in her perspective. On the surface, it appears that nothing phases her. She has her share of struggles and sorrows, but instead of wallowing in them, she is able to reside in the present moment. And she is able to laugh. Everyone who knows her well, knows that she is continually surrounded by laughter. So I keep hanging around. I still want to grow, but if I can manage to balance intellectual gain with self-acceptance, I'll be that much closer to the Truth. I am a child of God. And I am a friend of Beth.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Have Yourself A Merry, Little Christmas
"Inanimate objects are classified scientifically into three major categories: Those that don't work, those that break down, and those that are lost." -Russell Baker
Today, I am re-hashing a theme from a past post. Last Christmas, I complained that this season's flurry of gift-giving drives us to near insanity and perpetuates a pattern of futility. I have very little idea what my friends and family need or truly want, despite my love for them and my sincere desire to contribute to their happiness. We all put pressure on ourselves to find the perfect gift, and it is hard to reconcile the guilt when we end up settling for some generic equivalent. Suddenly, the symbol of our love and passion for giving is reduced to a candle, a pair of slippers, or a bottle of booze. And when we unwrap our own gifts, we can't help feeling a bit let down. We hope to give and to get the things we prize the most. But, I think we all share an understanding that 'the perfect gift' is an enigma. Most of the things we truly want or need, we get for ourselves. The real gifts are small simple things that present themselves every day. The real gifts are the little things that we share with each other all year long. A phone call, a visit, laughter, tears, a meal, an inside joke, hugs, and kisses. These are the ingredients of our most cherished relationships, the ONLY gifts that matter. That's a flurry of kindness and pattern of love that must be perpetuated. I am grateful and blessed by the gift that is you, and you are welcome anytime. I'll be wearing my slippers, we'll light a candle and share a bottle of booze. I can't think of any thing that would make me happier. Merry Christmas!
Today, I am re-hashing a theme from a past post. Last Christmas, I complained that this season's flurry of gift-giving drives us to near insanity and perpetuates a pattern of futility. I have very little idea what my friends and family need or truly want, despite my love for them and my sincere desire to contribute to their happiness. We all put pressure on ourselves to find the perfect gift, and it is hard to reconcile the guilt when we end up settling for some generic equivalent. Suddenly, the symbol of our love and passion for giving is reduced to a candle, a pair of slippers, or a bottle of booze. And when we unwrap our own gifts, we can't help feeling a bit let down. We hope to give and to get the things we prize the most. But, I think we all share an understanding that 'the perfect gift' is an enigma. Most of the things we truly want or need, we get for ourselves. The real gifts are small simple things that present themselves every day. The real gifts are the little things that we share with each other all year long. A phone call, a visit, laughter, tears, a meal, an inside joke, hugs, and kisses. These are the ingredients of our most cherished relationships, the ONLY gifts that matter. That's a flurry of kindness and pattern of love that must be perpetuated. I am grateful and blessed by the gift that is you, and you are welcome anytime. I'll be wearing my slippers, we'll light a candle and share a bottle of booze. I can't think of any thing that would make me happier. Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 16, 2013
A [LIGHT] Blue Christmas
"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live." -Norman Cousins
Balance. The key to happiness. Every aspect of life requires balance, but for this day, let's just talk about emotional balance. I hear you, -so many of you. "Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, hope, and love, but I can't shake the overwhelming sadness. I miss my (mom, dad, grandma, lover, friend, child.....)" I feel fortunate that I have suffered no tragedy to speak of. It is impossible for me to truly understand how it feels, I can only imagine. The irony of life is that it is so precious. Life is God's greatest gift to His children, and yet it is taken seemingly without regard. So, how do we balance love and loss? Where can we find comfort and peace? Maybe in knowing that love born never dies. (Even if we can no longer live with it, it remains a part of us.) Mourning is love unrequited until our souls meet again. And mourning is a one-sided affair. Those who have passed are at peace. All the angels in heaven sing, laugh, and love with a greatness beyond our comprehension. Still, they know your pain. They know that all suffering lies in this realm of earthly existence. And they understand that your pain will lead you to your salvation. On your quest to make peace with death, you will learn everything you need to know about your life. Angels have the means to take our pain away, but their love is great enough to let us live with it until we find ourselves. Until then, cherish your memories, receive the love of your angels, and take what comfort you can in knowing that your light shines through them, and their love shines through you.
Balance. The key to happiness. Every aspect of life requires balance, but for this day, let's just talk about emotional balance. I hear you, -so many of you. "Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, hope, and love, but I can't shake the overwhelming sadness. I miss my (mom, dad, grandma, lover, friend, child.....)" I feel fortunate that I have suffered no tragedy to speak of. It is impossible for me to truly understand how it feels, I can only imagine. The irony of life is that it is so precious. Life is God's greatest gift to His children, and yet it is taken seemingly without regard. So, how do we balance love and loss? Where can we find comfort and peace? Maybe in knowing that love born never dies. (Even if we can no longer live with it, it remains a part of us.) Mourning is love unrequited until our souls meet again. And mourning is a one-sided affair. Those who have passed are at peace. All the angels in heaven sing, laugh, and love with a greatness beyond our comprehension. Still, they know your pain. They know that all suffering lies in this realm of earthly existence. And they understand that your pain will lead you to your salvation. On your quest to make peace with death, you will learn everything you need to know about your life. Angels have the means to take our pain away, but their love is great enough to let us live with it until we find ourselves. Until then, cherish your memories, receive the love of your angels, and take what comfort you can in knowing that your light shines through them, and their love shines through you.
Monday, December 9, 2013
One Gives All
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." ~Edward Everett Hale
The holidays are officially in full swing. The season of giving is upon us and there's a parade of worthy causes. We love dropping dollars in the kettle, buying gifts for anonymous underprivileged children, and surprising the waitress with a generous tip. Giving feels great. We want to give to everyone, but after a week or two, our only offering to the bell ringers and the volunteers in the intersection is a brief wave or guilty smile. The challenge for the day is finding balance and listening to what is in your heart. We've all felt the impulse to give, and when we follow our inner Christ, Loves flows through and from us. We hold out faith that every small gesture completes the whole. Therein lies the heart of a simple Truth. Not so long ago, I would scorn animal rights activists. I mean, really? How do you justify investing your energy in non-human lives when there are so many people suffering? Then, I started learning about intuitive empathy, and it helped me understand how we are all attuned to different energies. We are called to different causes. For every one that suffers, there is a voice. My passion for seniors and for teens is just one note in the humanity of all man-kind. Your passion may be for animals, kids with disabilities, homeless veterans, earthquake victims, or deaf mutes in Bora Bora. Your energy and love finds it's match made in heaven. Together, in perfect harmony, our gifts become a symphony of compassion orchestrated by the hand of God. So give where you live, and know that it is more than enough. It's an unending season of joy.
The holidays are officially in full swing. The season of giving is upon us and there's a parade of worthy causes. We love dropping dollars in the kettle, buying gifts for anonymous underprivileged children, and surprising the waitress with a generous tip. Giving feels great. We want to give to everyone, but after a week or two, our only offering to the bell ringers and the volunteers in the intersection is a brief wave or guilty smile. The challenge for the day is finding balance and listening to what is in your heart. We've all felt the impulse to give, and when we follow our inner Christ, Loves flows through and from us. We hold out faith that every small gesture completes the whole. Therein lies the heart of a simple Truth. Not so long ago, I would scorn animal rights activists. I mean, really? How do you justify investing your energy in non-human lives when there are so many people suffering? Then, I started learning about intuitive empathy, and it helped me understand how we are all attuned to different energies. We are called to different causes. For every one that suffers, there is a voice. My passion for seniors and for teens is just one note in the humanity of all man-kind. Your passion may be for animals, kids with disabilities, homeless veterans, earthquake victims, or deaf mutes in Bora Bora. Your energy and love finds it's match made in heaven. Together, in perfect harmony, our gifts become a symphony of compassion orchestrated by the hand of God. So give where you live, and know that it is more than enough. It's an unending season of joy.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Friends in Low Places
"Trouble creates a capacity to handle it. I don't embrace trouble; that's as bad as treating it as an enemy. But I do say meet it as a friend, for you'll see a lot of it and had better be on speaking terms with it." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
I seem to be on a downhill slide. I feel disconnected, discouraged, my energy is almost non-existent. I'm tired of myself. There's no one thing bringing me down...it's more a general sense of icky-ness. Is it seasonal depression, my biorhythms, PMS, or just a lag in my own self-esteem? I can't be certain, but even the people around me seem to be covered in the haze of hopelessness. Once caught in the web of depression, it is difficult to find the will to escape. I take shelter in my comfy couch, blanket, and snacks. But, eventually, my ass gets sore from sitting on it, -and I'm not a quitter. Now is the time to call on determination and perseverance. I've been here before and found a way out. It can be done. Unfortunately, there is no script or procedure, I'm going to have to wing it. I'll be thinking about those of you who are surviving and thriving in spite of real heartbreak. I will find my strength and I'll grow some more. I'm reminded of a story my sister told me, and I have to apologize for not knowing the source. She heard someone compare life to a video game. Each level comes with it's own challenges, and when you master one level, you graduate to the next. When life gets difficult, you can congratulate yourself for completing the last level and then get to the business of mastering the next. I guess that means I'm one step closer to rescuing the princess, (me), and finding the pot of gold.
I seem to be on a downhill slide. I feel disconnected, discouraged, my energy is almost non-existent. I'm tired of myself. There's no one thing bringing me down...it's more a general sense of icky-ness. Is it seasonal depression, my biorhythms, PMS, or just a lag in my own self-esteem? I can't be certain, but even the people around me seem to be covered in the haze of hopelessness. Once caught in the web of depression, it is difficult to find the will to escape. I take shelter in my comfy couch, blanket, and snacks. But, eventually, my ass gets sore from sitting on it, -and I'm not a quitter. Now is the time to call on determination and perseverance. I've been here before and found a way out. It can be done. Unfortunately, there is no script or procedure, I'm going to have to wing it. I'll be thinking about those of you who are surviving and thriving in spite of real heartbreak. I will find my strength and I'll grow some more. I'm reminded of a story my sister told me, and I have to apologize for not knowing the source. She heard someone compare life to a video game. Each level comes with it's own challenges, and when you master one level, you graduate to the next. When life gets difficult, you can congratulate yourself for completing the last level and then get to the business of mastering the next. I guess that means I'm one step closer to rescuing the princess, (me), and finding the pot of gold.
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